Beginning with a field trip to Churchville Nature Center in late September, fourth grade students have engaged in extensive study of the indigenous people of Pennsylvania and their different interactions with the Europeans.
With many experiential projects, students have researched the Lenape Native American people, written about daily life in a Lenape village, gathered raw materials from nature to recreate a Native American village, and have been exposed to comprehensive historical resources that explain the history of the coming of the first Europeans through the lens of the Native Americans.
This week, fourth graders excitedly began working on projects that focus on creatively retelling the story of the Native American’s first interaction with the Europeans. “That so many of the Lenape died of diseases is really sad,” said one student.
With many working in groups, students wrote scripts for dramatic performances, interesting newscasts, PowerPoint presentations and elaborate puppet shows. “It's sort of like a free, fun project because we get to retell a story in our own way!” Another fourth grader added, “I love this so much. We get to do a play… fun stuff, while learning!”
Final projects will be (enthusiastically) presented to the class next week, bringing to close this important chapter in history as we move on to the Colonial era.
-Esmé Artz
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